COMMONWEALTH COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 11

COMMONWEALTH COAL.

SUPPLIES FOR NEW ZEALAND. QUESTION OF A DUTY. (Received June 19, 11.5 p.m.) CANBERRA, Juno 19. At question timo in the House of Representatives to-day Mr. F. M. Forde, Acting Minister of Customs, said ho was not awaro of any decision at present by the Now Zealand Government to impose a duty on coal from Australia. Members could rest assured that tho fullest consideration would bo given to any claims by the Dominion in that respect, as tho Commonwealth Government was desirous of bringing about more satisfactory relations with New Zealand. NEW SOUTH WALES FREIGHTS REDUCTION EXPLAINED. [BY TELEGRAM. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. Mr. C. M. McDonald, chairman of the Northern Collieries' Association, New South Wales, has sent tho following cablegram to the Dominion concerning tho freight concessions on coal rnado by the New South Wales railways:— " Referring to statements that have appeared in the press, T desire, as chairman of tho Northern Collieries Association, to state that we have consistently and persistently refused to entertain any idea of a bounty on coal production. The coal industry was specially selected in tho past for tho imposition of exorbitant charges, to make up deficits in the general railway revenue, and the present reduction in charges of 6d a ton is merely an adjustment to a less inequitable basis. Tho balance of the reduction in price is contributed by tho proprietors and the men." QUESTION OF DUMPING. GOVERNMENT'S VIEW SOUGHT. [BT TELEGRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Thursday. In view of tho reported arrival in New Zealand of six ships laden with coal from Newcastle, New South Wales, Mr. W. Leo Martin, M.P., has sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister: "Ihe arrival is reported of six ships laden with Australian coal. I will be pleased to know what attitude tho Government is taking to prevent this dumping."